Hanoi

« We didn't have time to explore Hanoi thoroughly, but what we saw really impressed us. There are civilized modern districts with all the amenities, along with beautiful parks and lakes. Then there's the old town, buzzing with vibrant Asian life: old ladies in bamboo hats balancing goods on their shoulders, markets right on the sidewalks, chaotic, noisy scooters zipping around like ants in an anthill, street food of all kinds (even whole grilled dogs, and not just for special occasions—it’s surprisingly cheap, even less expensive than beef!). Overall, the vibe here is fantastic. I can’t wait to return and dive deeper into this incredible city! »

« Once again, we're in Hanoi. :) A brief stop before heading to China. The photo features Hoan Kiem Lake. I like the name of the lake, but living next to it isn't quite appealing. There are endless throngs of motorbikers constantly honking day and night.

We stayed near it last time, but today we're aiming for some peace and quiet. Well, as quiet as possible in Hanoi. :) »

« Literature Temple in Hanoi. You can explore this city in 1-2 days depending on how much you enjoy the local vibe 😊 »

« We've been in Vietnam for a couple of hours now. It's our first time in Asia, and we acclimated well in Bangkok, but Hanoi was a shock for me. It all started off nicely. At the airport, we arranged a taxi for a fixed price, and we were taken to the hotel in a luxurious SUV with leather seats and complimentary water. The driver even had "A Million Scarlet Roses" playing on his disc. 😆 But then things took a turn for the worse. We arrived late in the evening, and while searching for food, we didn't see the charm of old Hanoi.. There was dirt everywhere, piles of trash. The locals were almost sitting in the street on tiny stools, with something boiling on a portable stove nearby, and napkins, peelings, and cigarette butts scattered around.. We found a somewhat decent-looking café, sat down to eat, when suddenly a crowd of young workers brought out huge tubs and boxes of dirty dishes onto the sidewalk and started washing everything! In the tub. With a hose.. It seems they don’t wash anything during the day at all. Even the cups are rinsed quite carelessly.. 😁 It’s hard to understand how one can eat here. Those who wrote about the charm of the old streets probably haven't been here. I hope we find something to enjoy, but for now, I miss Bangkok. Who would have thought... »

« Hanoi appeals to me. After the aggressively European Hong Kong, the noisy and sweltering Bangkok, and the orthodox Male, it feels quite cozy, despite the constant cacophony of honks, shouts, and laughter (I woke up this morning to the crowing of a rooster). The Vietnamese are calm and moderately emotional, which is refreshing; I’m not a fan of panic or excessive flattery. I love stepping out into the city and getting lost, and in Hanoi, it’s fun and comfortable—around every corner, if there’s no landmark, there’s a hip coffee shop with Wi-Fi, a variety of art books, and… seeds! The coffee shops aren’t chains, so they have their own character, no matter how cliché that sounds, which is quite decent (everyone knows I can't stand Starbucks). As for the cultural scene, it’s fantastic: temples and cathedrals, lakes and rivers, and plenty of turtles (they’re appreciated in Vietnam, just like elephants in Thailand), and best of all, you can sit, stand, look, and think in peace. You won’t be swept away by crowds like in the previously mentioned Asian capitals. Perhaps the city’s pace is different, or maybe it’s the off-season, or we’re just lucky in our travels. »

« Hanoi is a very intense, vibrant city, and I can hardly imagine myself here for a long time ☺️ but if you haven't visited it, you can't really say you've seen Asia. »

« So, we’re in Vietnam! From here, polished Singapore feels like a vision from another life, almost like a toy. And here in Hanoi, life buzzes on the sidewalks, the traffic resembles a chaotic mess, and you remember all your prayers every time you cross the street. My first thoughts: "Mom, get me out of here!" and "How will I survive in this pedestrian hell for a whole month?!" But deep inside, there’s already a whisper: "Just a little longer, and you’ll surely love it here!" Well, let’s wait and see ✌ »

« We are surrounded by a mix of sounds: Vietnamese motorbikes zooming by, constant honking, barking dogs, and of course, smells—often unpleasant—that when you catch even a whiff of something neutral, it genuinely surprises you. »

« Morning in the big city. While we wait to board, let me show you a bit more of our Hanoi. Like all major Asian cities, it doesn’t reveal itself right away and not everyone likes it. But there’s a charm to it. When you hide away in one of the side streets from the crazy traffic, you find a tiny terrace with a view of St. Joseph's Cathedral. 🌟 »

« I love the Old Quarter of Hanoi for the mix of cultures, eras, and stories that each wall of every house is soaked in. Tomorrow, we'll be cruising around Hanoi on my favorite Vespas. I think it's going to be really awesome✌️ »

« The streets of the Old Quarter in Hanoi. I always thought my favorite city in Vietnam was Hoi An. But this time, I looked at Hanoi through different eyes. It’s true when they say you can’t understand a city at first glance. »

« This is how all the houses look in the city center, which is actually quite large. Everything I love about Hanoi is a remnant of the French influence. The country was under French colonial rule from 1887 to 1940. »

« After three days, we returned to the capital. Once again, the filthy city surrounds us. Maybe I've become immersed in the local culture, because this time I actually like it here. I barely notice the dirt and the awful smell anymore, and I'm no longer afraid to cross the street with their crazy traffic. But I still can't bring myself to try street food. However, I know I'll never get used to the climate. »

« I enjoy the evenings here. »

« Evenings here are beautiful, I really like it :) and it gets less stuffy. »

« Hanoi is an utterly bizarre and crazy city. French architecture mixed with communist symbolism, Asian grime, and stark poverty... The traffic is indescribable; everyone is waving their hands and smiling. When I asked to buy a couple of band-aids, they gifted me about ten instead. It's hot and humid, with occasional warm drizzles. We visited almost all the attractions, but I didn't feel much from it. Just wandering around and soaking in the atmosphere is what I enjoy more. It's truly unique here. 😊 »

« Hanoi. A bustling city that's not very tourist-friendly. Without a pre-planned itinerary, you may find it challenging to enjoy your stay. Internet access is limited and hard to come by. English-speaking skills are quite poor. We hired a driver, and his English was just Google Translate on his smartphone. »

« Hanoi is a nice city. There are more cars here than anywhere else in Vietnam. The weather is cloudy but pleasant, as long as the wind isn't blowing. »

« Hanoi is cool, but the service level is quite low, which really dampened my mood. I expected better. »